Amy Roko has called on companies to fast-track initiatives that can help close the gender pay gap in both the Arab world and beyond.
Roko – who is Acting Guest Editor of Arabian Business for International Women’s Day – said more action is needed.
“I feel like this is something that gets talked about every year around this time, and then nothing really happens. The numbers keep staying the same, we are simply not doing anything – let alone enough – to close the gap,” she said.
According to data from the Pew Research Center, US female workers earn around 86 percent of the salaries of male colleagues in the same position – though the percentage falls far more in other parts of the world. In Saudi Arabia some estimates put it at 60 percent.
“When you look at for example just the US numbers, only half of working women are actually in the labour market, she added.
Roko suggested that companies should consider publishing the pay differences between genders, in order to help close the gap.
“It’s not about naming and shaming, it’s about companies being proud that they pay men and women the same amount for the same job, and then shouting about it – because right now, unfortunately, that is something to shout about.”
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